RENOVATE

FF DIN Typeface House Numbers

Oh, how nice to see these oak house numbers in the FF DIN font by Another Country. I’d wager an educated guess that they’re certainly better than the current offering at your local hardware store, and the price isn’t too terribly expensive (unless you have a lot of numbers in your address). The visible wood grain will provide an excellent contrast to your home’s siding, and don’t worry about quality either, as each number is laminated to ensure durability for outdoor environments.(more…)

Bibliotheca Wallpaper by Ekaterina Panikanova

Old books! On your wall! With large paintings by Ekaterina Panikanova! I’m a little more excited about the books than the paintings (nothing against Ms. Panikanova, the paintings are lovely) but, hey, I’ll take ’em as intended. The wallpaper is heavy-duty, and is even washable with a soft cloth, so don’t be too terribly precious about where it is installed. Also, pay attention to the explanation of how the mural is laid out; it can be a tiny bit confusing at first glance.(more…)

SkyBell Video Doorbell

It’s about freaking time. Often when we search for a home tech product, nothing pops up that looks good (or gets good reviews). That’s been my experience when searching for home security, more specifically, video cameras at the entryway. I know some of my neighbors have spent thousands of dollars on a whole home security package just so they can see a person at their front door. If they were patient, they could have saved a lot of money by trying out this $200 doorbell.(more…)

Maison De Gaspé

Before you turn your brain off for the weekend, here’s a little house candy to consider. The Maison De Gaspé by la SHED architecture is oriented around a central family space. As is the trend, an open common area provides a clear view of the kitchen, living, and dining room, and the overall neutral color palette of this space allows a bright pop of red in the staircase to stand out. Maybe you’re not gutsy enough to make such a strong statement with your staircase, but it’s worth considering in a smaller space, maybe with a different semi-vibrant color, to add a little unexpected punch to your home.(more…)

The Vipp Shelter

While we’re all still catching up from the holiday break, let’s take a moment to imagine a weekend spent in the Vipp Shelter. Yes, Vipp is a Danish company known mostly for its industrial garbage cans, but now they’ve thrown their hat in the ring for prefab homes. And, once you take a look at their 600-square-foot prototype, you’ll be glad they did.(more…)

Ear and Tongue Pulls

These pulls won’t appeal to everyone, as they’re rather odd and not at all what you’d find at a local kitchen and bath store. However, for those of us that like edgier options when it comes to drawer and cabinet hardware, Malia Jensen’s Ear and Tongue Pulls are delightfully different, enough so to consider spending far more than necessary simply to outfit a bathroom’s vanity drawers with ears. Or tongues.(more…)

Henrybuilt Drawer Accessory System

These kitchen drawer organizers by Henrybuilt are perfect. Made of solid wood, each item holds and divides kitchen utensils and accessories in precise order, and, after installing them, the rest of your life will magically sort itself out. Maybe. But, before you get too attached to these drawer organizers, there’s some not-so-good news: they’re only available as part of a complete Henrybuilt system. That means it’s time to start saving for a new (perfect) kitchen.(more…)

HB6B / Karin Matz

Small, well designed apartments that take advantage of cramped quarters will always have a place in my heart, thanks to living in a ~450 square foot studio apartment in my 20s. I remember imagining countless ways to remodel it if I owned instead of rented. That’s why, despite its somewhat rough looking walls, this little apartment by architect Karin Matz in Stockholm has caught my interest. Take a look at the lofted bed sharing a glass wall with the kitchen, with storage underneath, and marvel at the smart way they’ve incorporated necessary living areas all within under 400 square feet (36 sq meters).(more…)

August Smart Lock

Remember this smart lock? Through the magic known as bluetooth, the August Smart Lock senses your approach and unlocks your door for you, without you reaching for your phone. Here’s the lowdown: It fits over the interior portion of your current deadbolt, so there’s no need to change out your door hardware, as from the outside you’ll still have the same keyed entry. August’s encrypted locking technology allows you to control when people have access to your home, from family members to cleaning crews, and you can see a complete log of who has come and gone (and the exact times of their arrival/departure) remotely from your phone or computer. Don’t worry about power outages or internet connections, as the August is powered by standard batteries. The second batch of August Smart Locks will be available later this year; reserve yours now.(more…)

Stikwood

So…wood walls, yes or no? If your ‘no’ has aesthetic reasons, then I’ve got some images that might change your mind. If your answer is ‘yes, but…’ then join the club. Often wood walls are struck off the to-do list because of cost and installation, yet with the product Stikwood suddenly we’re thinking ‘hey, I could do that.’ Stikwood is just like its name- you stick the wood onto whatever surface you want. It’s got a peel-and-stick backing that makes it easy to attach, whether on a wall, ceiling, or furniture. How exactly does it work? Here’s the installation instructions. And, if you’re still not intrigued, here are a few images for inspiration (note: below images aren’t Stikwood products, just wood wall inspiration).(more…)

Slate-ish

You’re probably thinking that those are stone tiles above, but, surprise, those tiles are made from recycled and reclaimed sources of paper-laminate. Paper-laminate? Yep, you read it right. Slate-ish is lightweight, strong, durable, and easy to install, and with geometric shapes like Hex, Tri, and Para, I think it’ll make it onto many of our future remodeling materials list.(more…)

Mirror House

Reflective glass entirely covers the facade of this private villa, providing camouflage and privacy during the day. At night, one can only assume the home lights up like a lamp, but it’s nevertheless notable for its minimal approach and detailed treatment. A compact and simple floorplan allows for an open feel despite the relatively small square footage, and the use of birch multiplex panels throughout the interior contrasts nicely with the shiny, glamorous facade.(more…)

Savannah Project

I spy with my little eye two shipping containers. Can you see them? There are two, each one offset with the other with a raised ceiling area in between. It’s more proof that container building can be done well, and there’s no need to sacrifice spaciousness if you keep your roof situation creative. Take a look at the photo below to get an idea of the outside, or visit PSP for more images. The Savannah Project is by artist/architect/designer, Julio Garcia.(more…)

Peter Fehrentz’s Renovated Flat

If you subscribe to Dwell magazine, you probably already saw this flat in Berlin, but I’d like to point out that a few risks does wonders for a small space. Not everyone has the guts to go with pink/rose cabinets and a dark grey tile backsplash, yet Mr. Fehrentz’s 646-square-foot apartment proves it works well alongside other subdued colors. Flip through the slideshow over at Dwell and I’m 99% sure you’ll agree. Maybe you’ll even be able to make some gutsy changes to your own home.(more…)

Kabinett House designed by septembre

To anyone that says accent walls are passé, show them the Kabinett House in Paris, designed by septembre. A black wall against a pale or white interior packs a punch of contrast, and hey, when you involve the kitchen cabinetry as well, you’ve got a strong statement. Also worth pointing out is septembre’s space layout, with storage alongside either side of the apartment (see plan below)(more…)